My Journey in the Innovation Academy: Embracing Opportunity, Finding Balance, and Building a Dream
By Kieran Boodram
When I first got admitted to the University of Florida’s Innovation Academy, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But after attending a Discover IA session, I was blown away by the opportunities the program offers. One that stood out was the chance to study abroad in Maynooth, Ireland, during my first fall semester.
Initially, I was hesitant. I didn’t know what to expect, but I didn’t want uncertainty to keep me from experiencing something amazing—so I went for it. That decision paid off. Studying abroad helped me meet incredible people, develop technical skills, work on team projects, master time management, and soak in the beauty of Ireland’s culture and innovation.
While there, I noticed a significant issue—the high cost of living, particularly for groceries. Most food was imported, driving prices up. This sparked an idea: What if we could convert shipping containers into farms to grow food year-round? Since then, I’ve been developing this business concept to address food insecurity and sustainability.
When I returned for the spring semester, everything accelerated. I juggled coursework, worked with the Innovation Academy, held a part-time job at Publix, worked as a Front Desk Assistant, and joined the Big Idea Competition with the Warrington College of Business, where I created a business plan for my shipping container farm idea. Although I accomplished a lot—passing my classes, forming connections, and building a solid business plan—I hit a major bump. I wasn’t selected to pitch my idea in the competition, and it stung after all the effort I’d put in.
That experience taught me a valuable lesson about balance. I realized I’d been pushing myself too hard, missing out on one of the most important aspects of college—building meaningful social connections. Before the semester ended, I decided to step back from my job at Publix, embrace the setback, and focus on balance. I joined more organizations and discovered the value of new experiences, like outdoor trips with UF Rec Sports and salsa classes every Thursday.
That summer, inspired by my experiences and values, I created another business idea: a clothing line called the “Brown Neck Brand.” The term “Brown Neck” highlights the need for diversity in outdoor activities. The brand is inspired by the original “Brown Neck”—me, Kieran Boodram, a native Floridian with Caribbean/East Indian heritage. I grew up loving the outdoors, from fishing and motorsports to wildlife conservation. Brown Neck Brand aims to inspire people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to embrace outdoor adventures. In many cultures, people are traditionally encouraged toward stable careers like medicine or law, but Brown Neck encourages people to pursue what truly brings them joy, even if it’s outside the typical path.
My ultimate goal is to keep finding innovative ways to positively impact society through agriculture and outdoor recreation. Whether it’s launching the shipping container farm business, growing the Brown Neck Brand, or eventually operating fishing charters, I want to create something meaningful. Everyone’s journey is different, and mine hasn’t been easy, but each experience teaches me something new. To me, being an innovator and entrepreneur means never stopping in the pursuit of what you’re passionate about.
To any Innovation Academy students reading this, here’s my advice: take the leap. Don’t be afraid to take risks, to fail fast, and to be flexible as you chase your goals. There will be obstacles along the way, and that’s okay—they’re part of the process. Embrace the challenges and keep moving forward. Most importantly, be passionate and have fun with it. If you love what you’re doing, you’re already winning .
